Float



May 29, 1928.

W. E. RAWLINGS FLOAT Filed Jan. 5, 1927 FIGURE 1 mvENTo W ATTORNEY Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FLOAT.

Application filed January 5, 1927. Serial No. 159,114.

This invention relates particularly to a float designed for the use of bathers in the surf or similar places. A

It is one object of the invention to provide a float that will be economical to manufacture, durable, quickly and easily assembled or disassembled,

1t is another object of the invention to provide a float of the character indicated that will accommodate one or more persons as desired, and one that will be highly ethcient in its practical application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the float.

Figure 2 is a-sectional view of a portion of the float on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the float.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 1 show at 1-1 two supporting elements that are identical in form and construction. Each. element 1 is, in the present disclosure, a single casting of some light material such as aluminum, arcuate in plan as clearly shown in Figure 1 and having a plurality of arcuate channels formed in its outer and under side as shown at 2-3-4, each channel also being arcuat-e in transverse cross section as shown. These channels are preterably variable in size, in plan, their diameters progressively increasing from the bot tom upwardly as clearly shown in Figure 2. i The inner ends of the lowermost channel portion are connected by a horizontal bar 5. On the inner ends of the uppermost channel portions are formed lugs 6 havin sockets as 7 formed therein to receive theends of bars 8. Connecting the two bars 5--5 is a seat 9 secured thereto by bolts 10. When it is desired to assemble the device a number of inflatable tubes, like the inner tubes of automobile tires, are secured. These tubes should be of different sizes, the largest tube being placed in ei'igagiement with the upper channels 2-2 of the two elements 11 when arranged in spaced and opposed relation to each other. A slightly smaller tube is arranged in the next lower channels, and the smallest tube is arranged in the lower channels. The bars 8 are now placed in position to form handle bars, and the seat 9 is bolted to the two bars 55. The tubes having been inflated the float is ready for use.

A float constructed as above described is economical to manufacture because it consists of but few and simple parts, and the tubes may, if desired, be selected used automobile tire tubes. The construction set forth supports the tire tubes securely even when inverted because the channels 23-4 have lips as 11, 12 and 13 formed on their lower edges to reduce the channel opening.

When a bather is seated on the seat 9 he has free use of his legs and hands and can easily operate a propeller mechanism. 14 it such a mechanism be mounted upon the device. The tubes are indicated by the numerals 15, 16 and 17.

Itis to be understood, of course, that while I have herein shown and described but one specific embodiment otmy invention, changes in form, construction and method of assembly and application may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A float comprising spaced elements having channels formed in their outer sides, the channels in one element lying in the plane of the channels in the other element, a seat member connecting the opposing sides of the said elements to space the same, and handle bars connecting the opposing sides of the said elements and arranged on either side of the seat member.

2. A float comprising a pair of castings, each casting having a plurality of channels formed. therein of varying radii, inflatable tubes engaging the corresponding channels in the two castings, and means for holding the two castings in spaced and rigid rela tion to each other.

3. A float comprising a pair of spaced elements having oppositely directed channels formed therein, a seat member connecting the opposing sides of the elements to space the same, and buoyant elements mounted in said channels.

WILLIAM E. RAWLINGS. 

